Car seat travel tray

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for providing a work surface in an automobile. A first portion including a rigid member is hingedly coupled to a tray portion including a rigid member. Straps or other attachment mechanism is coupled to the first portion to allow the apparatus to be attached to an automobile seat back. The first portion is attached in a position adjacent to the seat back, and the tray portion is rotated downward in an arc to a desired orientation, most commonly substantially parallel to the ground. A retainer retains the tray portion in the desired orientation relative to the seat back.  
     In one embodiment, a cord and cord-lock are used as the retainer. The cord and cord lock allow adjustment of the orientation of the tray portion through a continuum when the apparatus is installed. This permits the apparatus to accommodate a wide variety of seat backs having broadly varying angles. Pocketing of various types may be disposed in a volume between the first portion and the tray portion.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0001] An apparatus for providing a work surface in an automobile isdisclosed. A first portion including a rigid member is hingedly coupledto a tray portion including a rigid member. Straps or other attachmentmechanism is coupled to the first portion to allow the apparatus to beattached to an automobile seat back. The first portion is attached in aposition adjacent to the seat back, and the tray portion is rotateddownward in an arc to a desired orientation, most commonly substantiallyparallel to the ground. A retainer retains the tray portion in thedesired orientation relative to the seat back.

[0002] In one embodiment, a cord and cord-lock are used as the retainer.The cord and cord lock allow adjustment of the orientation of the trayportion through a continuum when the apparatus is installed. Thispermits the apparatus to accommodate a wide variety of seat backs havingbroadly varying angles. Pocketing of various types may be disposed in avolume between the first portion and the tray portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the seat backtray assembly of the invention being carried in a closed orientation.

[0004]FIG. 2 shows a back perspective view of one embodiment of theinvention.

[0005]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an automobile seat back having oneembodiment of the invention installed thereon.

[0006]FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the seat back 60 having oneembodiment of the invention installed thereon in a closed orientation.

[0007]FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of theinvention.

[0008]FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the open tray assembly of oneembodiment of the invention.

[0009]FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of one embodiment of theinvention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the seat backtray assembly of the invention being carried in a closed orientation. Inthe closed orientation, the tray assembly appears similar to a smallbriefcase. A first portion 1 forms a back surface of the seat back trayassembly. In one embodiment, first portion 1 is made by enveloping arigid member of, for example, cardboard, sheet metal, wood, fiberglass,or similar material in a flexible material envelope. Cardboard ispreferred because it is more easily deformable in an accident that someof the other alternatives, and therefore, less likely to cause seriousinjury to a passenger using the tray at the time of an accident. In oneembodiment, hot pressed art board of 0.060 inches thickness is used. Aflexible hinge 2 hingedly couples the first portion 1 to a tray portion3. Tray portion 3 is of a similar construction to first portion 1. Theflexible material envelope may be constructed of cloth, either naturalor synthetic, leather, plastic, foil or nearly any other flexiblematerial. In a preferred embodiment, nylon cloth is used to form theenvelopes. Finishing tape is sewn through cardboard rigid members aroundtop and both lateral edges of each rigid member, e.g., the three sidesnot adjacent to the hinge 2. This prevents fraying of the envelopingmaterial and prevent movement of the rigid members relative to theenvelope. The hinge 2 permits the tray portions 3 to be rotated throughan arc of 180° from nearly parallel to the first portion (e.g., theclosed orientation), thereby permitting a wide range of possible traysurface orientations. The first portion 1, the tray portion 3, and anintermediate portion 7 define a volume of the seat back tray assembly. Aclosure means such as a zipper 5 or hook and loop tab material 13, 14are used to maintain the tray in a closed orientation when being carriedor not in use.

[0011] Handle 15 is coupled to a top intermediate region. In oneexemplary embodiment, the handle 15 is made of nylon webbing and coupledto a third rigid member in a flexible material envelope. For example, ifthe rigid member is cardboard, the handle may be sewn through to boththe exterior layer of the envelope and the rigid member. For rigidmembers of other material alternative attachment means such as staples,rivets, tacks, screws, or other similar devices. In this manner, theload is more evenly distributed, and the handle is less likely to tearoff from the rest of the assembly.

[0012] A cord 4 is used to provide maximal adjustment of an angle of atray surface (not shown) as is described further below. A retainer suchas cord-lock 9 is coupled to the cord to insure that a chosenorientation is maintained. Cord-lock 9 can be slid along the cordbetween a knot or stop at one end, a maximum retention point at theother. At the maximum retention point, the tray is in the closedorientation. Thus, if no zipper 5 or velcro tab assembly 13, 14 wereprovided to maintain closure, the cord 4 and cord-lock 9 could be usedto maintain the tray assembly in a closed orientation. A mesh pocket 30is shown sewn to the exterior surface of the tray portion 3. The meshpocket 30 provides a convenient receptacle for the cord 4 and cord-lock9 when the seat back tray assembly is being carried. It may also be usedto store other things.

[0013]FIG. 2 shows a back perspective view of one embodiment of theinvention. In this figure, a portion of the material envelope has beencut away to show rigid member 36 and cord 4 inside. First portion 1 hasstraps 8 coupled thereto. One strap 8 comprises strap segments 28 and29. Strap segment 28 is a length of loop material, while strap segment29 is a length of nylon webbing with a segment of hook material 31coupled thereto. A second strap is composed of two segments each havingsubsegments. An elastic subsegment 32 is coupled to first portion 1. Inturn, a nylon webbing subsegment 33 is coupled thereto. Nylon subsegment33 has disposed thereon one moiety of hook and loop material for eachsegment Thus, the segments can be coupled together around a seat byinterlocking corresponding hook and loop material portions. Cord 4 isshown engaging rigid member 36 as described more fully below. In analternate embodiment, the straps are detachably coupled to the firstportion using, for example, snaps. This permits the straps 8 to beremoved when dangling straps would otherwise be inconvenient.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an automobile seat back having oneembodiment of the invention installed thereon. Attachment straps 8 arecoupled to the first portion as described in relation to FIG. 2.Numerous embodiments of the straps are possible. In one embodiment,strap 8 has two strap segments 11 and 12 which detachably coupledtogether at connection point 16. This detachable coupling may beaffected by hook and loop material, snaps, buckles, or any otherconventional fastening means. In an alternative embodiment, the strapsare coupled to first portion 1, and are continuous. In this embodiment,an elastic material should be used for at least a portion of the strapto permit the straps to be stretched over varying seat sizes. In stillanother embodiment, the combination of these techniques may be usedwherein strap segment 11 and 12 comprise an elastic subsegment coupledto, for example, a nylon webbing subsegment with fastening meansdisposed on an opposing end. In yet another embodiment, strap segment 11is one moiety of hook or loop material over its entire length, whilestrap segment 12 may be the other moiety of either hook or loop materialor may be, for example, nylon webbing with a segment of the other moietyhook or loop material coupled thereto. As made clear above, in anembodiment having more than a single strap 8, the individual straps mayembody different of the features described above. All the foregoingembodiments are within the scope and contemplation of the invention.

[0015]FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the seat back 60 having oneembodiment of the invention installed thereon in a closed orientation.As shown in this view, the tray assembly can be left in a closedorientation attached to the seat 60 without significantly limitingbackseat passenger space. FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of oneembodiment of the invention. In FIG. 5, zipper 5 is being unzipped toopen the tray. Loop tab 14 has already been disengaged from hook patch13. Once zipper 15 has been unzipped around three sides of the assembly,the tray portion 3 can be rotated in an arc around the hinged coupling 2until cord-lock 9 retains it at a final orientation. In FIG. 5, aportion of the envelope of the tray portion 3 has been cut away to showrigid member 37.

[0016]FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the open tray assembly of oneembodiment of the invention. The tray portion 3 is rotated relative tothe first portion in an arch about hinge 2 such that the tray portionadopts a known orientation. The tray surface of the tray portion maythen be used as, e.g., a writing surface or merely to hold items forlater use. The zipper 5 runs just inside lateral edges 18 and top edge17 of the tray portion 3 and forms a small lip which helps to keep itemson the tray surface 10 from rolling or sliding off. The cord 4 slidablyengages a pair of holes 6 in tray portion 3. The position of thecord-lock (not shown) on the cord 4 dictates the angle relative to thefirst portion that the tray will be retained. As discussed above, a widerange of angles can be accommodated. In this connection, it is preferredthat cord 4 have low elasticity so that the cord 4 will not stretch whenweight is applied to the tray surface 10. Cord that stretches {fraction(1/16)}″ per inch of length has been found to be acceptable.

[0017] In one embodiment, a single length of cord 4 is slidably coupledto the first portion 1. Specifically, a pair of holes are made in theinner surface of the envelope and the rigid member of the first portion1. A corresponding pair of holes is made completely through the trayportion 3. The cord 4 is threaded through a first hole and out a secondhole in the first portion so as to engage rigid member 36 (as shown inFIG. 2). Each end is then threaded through the one corresponding pair ofholes in the tray portion. The cord-lock is disposed on the cord and thetwo end cords can be optionally knotted together to insure the cord-lockremains disposed thereon. The holes are preferably bored near the top ofthe first portion 1 and tray portion 3, where the top edge 17 is definedto be the edge of the tray portion that rotates the greatest distancewhen the tray is opened. It is also preferred that each hole be near alateral edge 18 of the respective portion. In this way, the load isdistributed across the rigid member 36 of the first portion, and thestructural integrity of the tray assembly is increased. In an alternateembodiment, two lengths of cord are used and merely knotted or otherwisemade so as to not pull through the holes in the first portion.

[0018] A plurality of pockets can be provided inside the tray assemblyfor retaining a wide variety of articles. In the shown embodiment, acylindrical pocket 20 is provided suitable for holding cylindricalobjects such as a beverage can or soft drink glass. The pen pocket 27and glasses pocket 38 are also provided. Pocket 21 is provided withcover 22 to retain its contents. A fastener such as hook and loopmaterial may be used to retain the cover 22 of pocket 21 in a closedorientation. Similarly, pocket 25 has a cover 26 with fastening members24 to ensure the contents of pocket 25 remain therein during transport.Any combination of pockets with or without covers is within the scopeand contemplation of the invention.

[0019]FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of one embodiment of theinvention in use. Because different seat backs have different anglesrelative to the ground and these angles also vary from front to back ofa single seat, the ability to adjust the tray angle through a continuumis particularly advantageous. This allows the tray surface to be nearlyparallel with the ground regardless of the angle of the seat back.Additionally, the tray angle can be easily adjusted to accommodatereclining or straightening the seat back in accordance with passengerpreference. Moreover, if for some reason it becomes desirable to havethe tray surface at a tilt relative to the ground, e.g., to simulate adrawing table, one need only slide the retainer along the cord until adesired tilt is achieved. In FIG. 7, the invention is strapped to seat60 with attachment straps 8 such that the outer surface of first portion1 is in contact with the back of seat 60. Conversely, in FIG. 8, theexterior surface's first portion 1 is in contact with the front of seatback 60. When installed as shown in FIG. 7, the seat back travel trayprovides a desk-like surface usable by a backseat passenger. Forexample, a child in the backseat may use it to color on or even as, forexample, a lunch table on a long trip. When installed as shown in FIG.8, the assembly provides a good location for storing items a driverwants to have within easy reach.

[0020] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been describedwith reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, beevident that various modifications and changes can be made theretowithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are,accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only bythe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable seat tray comprising: a first portion;a tray portion having a hinged coupling to the first portion; seatattachment straps coupled to the first portion; and a retainer whichadjustably restricts rotation by the tray portion about the hingedcoupling such that a desired angle between the first and tray portionsis maintained.
 2. The portable seat tray of claim 1 further comprising:a closure device which when placed in a known orientation holds thefirst portion and the tray portion in a closed orientation.
 3. Theportable seat tray of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of pocketscoupled to the first portion.
 4. The portable seat tray of claim 1wherein the tray portion comprises a rigid member enveloped in aflexible material.
 5. The portable seat tray of claim 1 wherein aflexible material forms a hinge between the first portion and the trayportion.
 6. The portable seat tray of claim 1 wherein the strapcomprises: a first strap segment having a first end coupled to the firstportion; a second strap segment having a first end coupled to the firstportion; the first and second strap lengths each having an opposing end,the respective opposing ends having corresponding fastening devicesdisposed thereon.
 7. The portable seat tray of claim 6 wherein thefastening devices are one of hook and loop material, snaps and buckles.8. The portable seat tray of claim 6 wherein a part of the first lengthand is elastic.
 9. The portable seat tray of claim 1 wherein theattachment strap has a first end and a second end coupled to the firstportion and is substantially contiguous therebetween.
 10. The portableseat tray of claim 9 wherein at least a portion of the strap is elastic.11. A portable seat tray comprising: a substantially rigid tray portion;means for detachably coupling the tray portion to a seat back; and meansfor retaining the tray portion at a desired angle relative to the seatback.
 12. In a motor vehicle, an improvement comprising: an automobileseat back forming a first angle with a horizontal plane; a first portiondetachably coupled to the seat back; a tray portion hingedly coupled tothe first portion; and a retainer which prevents rotation about thehinged coupling beyond a desired point.
 13. The improvement of claim 12wherein the retainer permits continuous adjustment of an angle betweenthe first portion and the tray portion such that a horizontal worksurface can be provided independent of the first angle.